Frankland Estate SmithCullum Riesling 2012

Overview

SmithCullam Riesling is a golden pale straw color with green highlights. The complex nose features exotic spices with delicate fresh lime and herb notes, underpinned by a wet ironstone flintiness. The front palate is soft and generous, opening up with a zesty lemon-lime, fine acid tang, with a mix of ironstone flint and spice running the length of the palate. It finishes with a hit of racy acidity and an off-dry taste. The wine is impeccably balanced between sweetness and acidity, leading to a long, persistent finish. It has exceptional charm and poise.

Wine Facts

Winemaker Notes
The grapes for the SmithCullam Riesling come from the organic Isolation Ridge Vineyard. It sits on an undulating northern and eastern-facing slope on ancient duplex soils of gravel and loam over a clay sub-soil. The fruit for this wine was sourced from Geisenheim clone Riesling vines planted in 1988; a clone renowned for retaining high levels of acidity throughout the vintage, which provides a natural counterbalance to the residual sweetness of the wine. The grapes were hand-picked when ripe in the early morning and whole-bunch pressed for fermentation in 1000 litre French oak “foudre” over four weeks. Towards the end of fermentation, when the ideal balance of sugar, fruit weight and acidity has been achieved, the wine is chilled to arrest fermentation.

Serving HintsSmithCullam Riesling is perfect served slightly chilled on its own or to complement sophisticated seafood and shellfish dishes, as well as a variety of main courses such as Moroccan lamb couscous or tagine, and spicy Indian dishes.